Scots care provider awarded funding to improve lives of older people

A SCOTS care provider has been awarded funding to help it improve the lives of older people across the country.

Bield, which also provides housing for those living with dementia, has secured £75,000 from the Scottish Government People and Communities Fund.

They plan to channel the money towards a range of projects with the potential to benefit more than 250 older people.

Chief Executive Brian Logan said they are “delighted” to be awarded the funds

The funding is the second largest amount the Edinburgh organisation has been awarded in its 40+ years history.

Around 25% of the money will be used to re-launch a care scheme in Falkirk, and some funding will also go towards expanding dementia friendly “bistros” and creating a Playlist For Life project to encourage the use of familiar music to help those with advanced dementia.

Brian Logan, Chief Executive at Bield, said: “We are understandably delighted to have secured this substantial funding which opens up new possibilities to enrich the lives of so many people across our developments.

Alex Neil MSP has also supported the initiative

“The benefits to these projects go well beyond what is plainly obvious – for every older person whose quality of life improves, family, friends and carers also stand to gain immensely.

“The funding is also testament to the success of past initiatives, which have provided fantastic opportunities that have delivered significant improvements to the social, physical and mental health well-being of many people.”

Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil MSP said: “Every community in Scotland has different challenges and aspirations and there is no one-size fits all approach to tackling poverty.

“That’s why our People and Communities Fund is giving organisations like Bield the power and confidence to address inequalities in communities more effectively.

“Through this funding Bield will develop a range of initiatives to directly improve the lives of older people across Scotland.”